Beard trimmings catcher

ABSTRACT

This invention generally relates to a device for catching hair during facial grooming. More specifically, the invention relates to a cantilevered structure securable around the neck of an individual for catching hair trimmings on a textile medium supported by the cantilevered structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/261,294 titled “Beard Trimming Catcher” filed Nov. 30, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/344,429, titled “Beard Trimmings Catcher” filed Jun. 2, 2016, the contents of each which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

This invention generally relates to a device for catching hair during facial grooming. More specifically, the invention relates to a cantilevered structure securable around the neck of an individual for catching hair trimmings on a textile medium supported by the cantilevered structure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some men have beards and mustaches that require daily grooming to appear presentable at their workplace, restaurants, events, and the like. The grooming can include one or more of trimming, shaving, cutting, or brushing. During these daily activities, hair is removed and often falls onto clothing, a sink, countertop, or the floor, requiring cleanup. Cleaning the hair can include sweeping and wiping down the surfaces over which the grooming was performed.

For some types of grooming, such as shaving and brushing, the loss of hair is manageable. However, when using a trimmer to maintain neatness when grooming, the hair is cut and dispersed from the area of the face, leading to unpredictability of where the trimmed hair will fall. The hair often lands on the clothing or floor, requiring both to be cleaned. Wearing a cape or drape over clothing, however, fails to capture the fallen hair and instead only lends to guarding clothing. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can be worn by an individual while grooming to protect the clothing of the user and to capture the fallen hair caused during the grooming process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In embodiments, provided herein is a device for use during facial grooming, comprising a collar suitable for attachment to a neck of a user and a cantilevered structure connected to the collar and protruding away from the neck of the user when attached to the neck of the user, the cantilevered structure covering an area at least as large as a user's face.

In embodiments, the collar comprises an attachment mechanism consisting of an adjustable strap. Suitably, the cantilevered structure is constructed of a flexible medium.

In further embodiments, the cantilevered structure comprises a frame defining an outer form of the cantilevered structure and a textile medium covering the frame. Suitably, the flexible medium is a neoprene rubber or a polymer. In further embodiments, the frame is a spring steel frame and the textile medium is a water-resistant fabric.

Also provided herein is a device for use during facial grooming, comprising a collar comprising an adjustable strap for attachment to a neck of a user, and a cantilevered structure comprising a spring steel frame defining an outer form of the cantilevered structure, and a water-resistant fabric covering the frame. In embodiments, the cantilevered structure connects to the collar and protrudes away from the neck of the user when attached to the neck of the user, the cantilevered structure covering an arcuate area at least as large as a user's face.

Suitably, the spring steel frame allows the device to be stored in a constrained configuration, held by a constraint, and opened prior to attachment to the user by releasing the constraint. Suitably, the water-resistant fabric comprises nylon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. The drawings are not to scale.

FIG. 1A is an overhead view of a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 2A is a side view a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof secured on the neck of an individual.

FIG. 2B is a view of a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof secured on the neck of an individual.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof.

FIG. 4 displays a view of a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof in use.

FIG. 5 displays a view of a device in accordance with an embodiment hereof within a storage container.

FIG. 6A displays a view of a further device in accordance with an embodiment hereof

FIG. 6B displays a view of a further device in accordance with an embodiment hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the figures, where like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. The terms “distal” and “proximal”, when used in the following description to refer to a device 100 (or further device 200) of the disclosed invention are with respect to a position or direction relative to the user of the device. Thus, “distal” and “distally” refer to positions distant from, or in a direction away from the user, and the terms “proximal” or “proximally” refer to positions near, or in a direction toward the user. Likewise, the terms “first end”, “mid-section”, and “second end”, when used in the following description refer to an area or location on the hair catcher 100 (and embodiment 200). Thus, “second end” when combined with the term “distally” refers to an end of device 100 away from the user, while referring to a location or area on device 100.

An exemplary device 100 in accordance with an embodiment hereof is shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. Device 100, suitably for use during facial grooming, also referred to hereinafter as “hair catcher,” is configured for receiving and/or supporting facial hair removed from the face during grooming, such as with beard/mustache trimming, shaving, cutting, brushing, etc. Device 100 is sized for securement around the neck of an individual, and a textile medium 140 projecting from device 100 is utilized for catching the removed hair.

In the embodiment shown, device 100 comprises a collar 105, suitably a semi-circular wrap-around collar, hereinafter “collar” and a cantilevered structure 130, suitably an arcuate cantilevered structure (i.e., having a bowed or curved structure), hereinafter “cantilevered structure,” each having connected first ends 170 and distal ends protruding away from the first ends. The collar 105 terminates at a mid-section 175 of device 100, nearest the front of the neck of a user, while the distal of the cantilevered structure terminates distally at a second end 180 at an area beyond the face of an individual. Additionally, the distal ends of the collar 105 and cantilevered structure 130 are connected by a textile medium, permitting fallen hair to be retained by the hair catcher 100. Hereinafter, the opposing end of the collar 105, in relation to the first end 170, is defined as the mid-section 175 of the hair catcher 100. Moreover, the end opposing the first end 170, the cantilevered structure 130 at the end furthest from the user when in use (See FIG. 2A), is defined as the second end 180 of the hair catcher.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the collar 105 includes a semi-circular construction with an open interior 110, sized for receiving the neck of an individual (See FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 4). The semi-circular construction can be closed around the neck of an individual by an attachment mechanism 115, such as a strap (e.g., an adjustable strap), defining the first end of device 100. FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 4, display views of device 100 secured on a user. Device 100 is securable around the neck of a user by an attachment mechanism 115 via wrapping the unsecured collar 105 around the neck and securing the attachment mechanism 115. When in use, the collar 105 maintains a proximal relationship with the neck of the user, while the cantilevered structure 130 is supported outward and away from the body of the user, thereby enabling fallen hair to be “retrieved” or “caught” by the textile medium 140 of the hair catcher 100.

Referring now to FIG. 3, showing a cross-sectional view of the cantilevered structure 130 taken along line 3 of FIG. 2B. The cantilevered structure 130 comprises an arcuate construction having a fame 135 defining an outer form of the cantilevered structure 130, and a textile medium 140 covering the frame 135. The frame 135 is suitably constructed of an inner, form-maintaining medium 145, which can be, if desired, covered by a flexible medium 150. The form-maintaining medium 145 can constructed of a material such as a spring steel material, enabling the cantilevered structure 130 to be bent, twisted, or otherwise compressed into a more compact form. The form-maintaining medium 145 biases the frame 135 to remain in an arcuate, bowed or semi-circular form when uncompressed, projecting away from the face of a user. The form-maintaining medium 145 is suitably covered by a flexible medium 150. The flexible medium 150 encases the form-maintaining medium 145 and serves as a cushioning or barrier between the form-maintaining structure 145 and the textile medium 140 of the cantilevered structure 130, also limiting tears or rips to textile medium 140. The flexible medium 150 can be constructed of a neoprene rubber or another suitable polymer.

The textile medium 140 spans the distance between the distal ends and perimeters of the collar 105 and the cantilevered structure 130. The textile medium 140 is positioned between the collar 105 and cantilevered structure 130 such that the textile medium 140 is in an orientation configured for residing below and beyond the face of a user, including and beyond a length at which trimmed hair is expected to fall, that is, so as to cover an area at least as large as a user's face. The textile medium 140 can be constructed of a water-resistant fabric or a fabric blend for easy cleanup of the collected trimmed hair. Such fabrics and blends of fabrics include, but are not limited to, nettings, meshes, nylons, cloths, etc.

Referring again to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, device 100 includes an attachment mechanism 115 on the end of the collar 105, enabling the device to be secured on a user. The attachment mechanism 115 can be an adjustable strap securable around the neck of a user. The attachment mechanism 115 can include a securement feature, such as hook and loop securement fasteners, snap buttons, clips, Velcro, and the like, or the adjustable strap can be tied by the user to secure the device on the neck of the user. The attachment mechanism 115 maintains and supports the hair catcher 100 on the user when grooming, preventing hair from contacting clothing or falling on the floor or structures unintended for holding hair. Further, the adjustability of the attachment mechanism 115 permits the open diameter 110 formed by the collar 105 to be increased or decreased as needed to comfortably accommodate the neck of a user.

Referring now to FIGS. 2B and 4, displaying views of the hair catcher 100 secured on a user and the hair catcher 100 in use, including the act of shaving 160 of a beard, which can be accomplished without interfering with the device. The shown attachment mechanism 115 of collar 105 maintains the hair catcher 100 around the neck of a user and can be adjusted to suit the needs of the user. On the interior of the collar 105 (closest to the neck of a user when in use), there can be positioned least a pair of separated flaps 120, hereinafter “flaps”. The flaps 120 are constructed of a textile body and can be made of fabric or a flexible material capable of resting against the neck of an individual, preventing fallen hair trimmings from entering the space between the neck of a user and collar 105 of the hair catcher 100 and getting on the clothing of the user. The flaps 120 are spaced from each other, leaving a gap 125 between the two flaps 120. The gap 125 between the flaps 120 permit each of the flaps 120 to move independently and adjust to the movements of a user, thereby providing consistent coverage between the collar 105 and the neck of an individual during use.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is displayed a view of device 100 within a storage container 155. Device 100 comprises a cantilevered structure 130 having a frame 135 (See FIG. 3) constructed of a form-maintaining medium 145, such as spring steel. The arcuate shape of the cantilevered structure 130 can be twisted or bent into a compact, circular form and maintained in a compact form by fastening the attachment mechanism 115 around the cantilevered structure 130, or other mechanism to hold the cantilevered structure in a compact form for storage. The compressed hair catcher 100 can also be placed within a storage container 155, such as a bag, etc., to maintaining the hair catcher 100 in a compact form. After removal from the storage container 155, the frame 135 of the cantilevered structure 130, having a form-maintaining medium 145 biased to return to a non-compacted form, quickly regains an arcuate shape in preparation of use.

FIGS. 6A and 6B display an additional hair catcher device 200. Hair catcher device 200 has a first end 270, a mid-section 275, and a second end 280 distally separated from the first end. The hair catcher 200 comprises cantilevered structure 230 extending from the first end 270 to the second end 280, with an upstanding sidewall 265 along the outer perimeter of the hair catcher 200, and a cutout forming a collar 205 between the first end 270 and the mid-section 275.

Hair catcher device 200 of the second embodiment is maintained on a user by an attachment mechanism 290, suitably straps, clips, or Velcro closure. The attachment mechanism can include a securement feature, such as hook and loop securement fasteners, snap buttons, clips, and the like, or the adjustable strap can be tied by the user to secure the hair catcher 200 on the neck of the user (See FIGS. 1A, 1B).

Hair catcher device 200 is secured around an individual by securing the attachment mechanism 290 and collar 205 around the neck of the user. The cantilevered structure 230 projects outward from the face of the user, catching or supporting fallen hair from the grooming process on the textile medium 240 between the collar 205 and cantilevered structure 230. Hair catcher device 200 can be constructed of a fabric material or of a polymer, including for example, neoprene rubber.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration and example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the features of any other embodiment. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the detailed description. All patents and publications discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for use during facial grooming, comprising: a. a collar suitable for attachment to a neck of a user; and b. a cantilevered structure connected to the collar and protruding away from the neck of the user when attached to the neck of the user, the cantilevered structure covering an area at least as large as a user's face.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the collar comprises an attachment mechanism consisting of an adjustable strap.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cantilevered structure is constructed of a flexible medium.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the cantilevered structure comprises a frame defining an outer form of the cantilevered structure and a textile medium covering the frame.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the flexible medium is a neoprene rubber or a polymer.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein the frame is a spring steel frame and the textile medium is a water-resistant fabric.
 7. A device for use during facial grooming, comprising: a. a collar comprising an adjustable strap for attachment to a neck of a user; and b. a cantilevered structure comprising i. a spring steel frame defining an outer form of the cantilevered structure; and ii. a water-resistant fabric covering the frame; the cantilevered structure connected to the collar and protruding away from the neck of the user when attached to the neck of the user, the cantilevered structure covering an arcuate area at least as large as a user's face.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the spring steel frame allows the device to be stored in a constrained configuration, held by a constraint, and opened prior to attachment to the user by releasing the constraint.
 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the water-resistant fabric comprises nylon. 